WESTLOCK – When given the chance, Westlock-area residents say they are most concerned about property crime, drug dens and impaired driving enforcement.
Those were the Top 3 issues flagged by residents following a recent call for public engagement by Westlock RCMP Staff Sgt. Al Baird. Due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic which negated an in-person public meeting to gather feedback, Baird instead asked people to submit questions directly to him in advance of Jan. 14 — this is the second time Baird has asked for public input and the first time he’s gotten any response.
“I’m glad we got a response for sure. I’m sure many other people have these similar sorts of questions of well,” said Baird.
As for the issues that are top-of-mind for residents, Baird wasn’t surprised or shocked. Ultimately, he says most people sympathize with police who can only lay charges and have no control once they end up in the court system.
“I think they’re understanding that we need more prosecutors and judges so people who are committing offences are getting their punishment and just not walking away, which it feels like for everybody,” said Baird. “We feel that. We’re not the victims, but the members surely understand. With the backlog it’s creating an overspill and it’s bottlenecking at the court system. Crime still happens it doesn’t stop because of COVID.”
Drug concerns
As for area drug houses, Baird said that while they do make arrests in relation to them, that does not always solve or stop the problem.
“We have to make sure we have the evidence to be able to get a search warrant, which leads to arrest and charges. It has been part of our annual performance plan to target crime houses and to try and disrupt or stop the activities that go on at these places,” he explained.
He also pointed to the Sept. 22 raid on a 103rd Street residence that led to a pair facing 15 charges including trafficking in cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin and GHB, plus unlawful possession, storage of firearm and ammunition charges and possession of stolen property related to identity fraud.
“And for those that we don’t have enough to do a search, we try and gather that evidence through intelligence led investigations,” he continued. Sometimes that is done through utilizing the SCAN program run through the sheriffs (https://www.alberta.ca/report-suspicious-property.aspx).
Property crimes
Regarding property crimes, Baird said there always seems to be random acts of mischief and thefts from businesses and residential properties.
And while sometimes people do not report them because they feel nothing can be done, Baird urged people to call — if it’s an emergency call 911, but if not then call the complaint line at 780-349-4491. The RCMP also has an app available for smartphones that can be used to report certain crimes.
“By reporting it helps the detachment keep track of where crime is happening, this goes toward our patrol plans and also goes toward keeping accurate stats of crime,” he continued.
“A couple years ago, we got another officer because of these stats. We have also recovered property in the past where we could not locate an owner as it was not reported. I encourage everyone to report any suspicious activity that is going on or any crimes that are happening. While we can’t be everywhere all the time, complaints that are called in help us shape our patrols and responses.”
Property crime has been an issue in every community Baird has served in and it’s why they come up with plans and solutions to help deter crime.
“We have a local COPs (Citizens on Patrol) that are in the community. We try and encourage everyone to watch out for neighbors and install cameras. While I understand that people should be able to leave things on their property, the reality is there are people that take advantage of the good-natured people,” he said. “It is those people, a small percentage, that are responsible for the vast majority of the crime in the area. Through our annual planning, we solicit information from the community so we have a better idea of what is going on. We then try and target those who are responsible for the crime through intelligence led and evidence-based investigation.
“Westlock crime rates for the past two years have actually been going down. I know that does not comfort those that have been victimized. Westlock RCMP want everyone to know that we are working diligently to address the issues brought to us.”
Impaired driving
Baird said the new Federal Mandatory Alcohol Screening that came into effect Dec. 18, 2018, continues to illicit questions from the public.
The legislation authorizes police officers to request a breath test for blood alcohol concentration from any driver they lawfully stop. Police do not require reasonable grounds to suspect that a driver is impaired by alcohol before requesting a breath sample to determine the driver’s sobriety.
Sober or not, a driver who refuses to provide a breath sample will be criminally charged with refusal to provide a sample. Failure to comply is considered a criminal offence and could result in a criminal charge as well as any applicable provincial sanctions.
Baird then went on to explain that in Westlock there are two separate units that are housed in detachment. Westlock detachment members are responsible for the general policing in the area and those members report to the detachment commander. The second unit is the Westlock Traffic Unit which is primarily responsible for enforcing the traffic rules and regulations.
While based in town, their patrol area includes not only Westlock, but Barrhead, Slave Lake, and Desmarais and they report to their sergeant commander. Baird said that neither the traffic members nor the detachment members have “quotas” in regard to tickets but said they do have to do their diligence in enforcing the traffic laws.
“So, in effect there are two distinct priorities in the Westlock area,” Baird explained. “One from the detachment, which is mostly focused on crime and how to prevent it. Yearly we put together a performance plan for the area, come up with priorities and the initiatives that will make them successful while targeting those who commit criminal offences in the area. The second is traffic-based in order to reduce serious collisions and ensure compliance of the criminal and provincial traffic laws.”
